Where to Put Warcraft 3 Custom Maps (Reforged & Classic)
Downloading custom Warcraft III maps is simple, but knowing where to put the downloaded .w3x or .w3m file depends on the game version you run. This guide provides exact verified file directories for Reforged and legacy MPQ installations.
1. Modern Versions & Reforged (Patch 1.28 and Newer)
Starting with Patch 1.28 and continuing through Warcraft III: Reforged, custom maps belong in your user profile Documents directory rather than the game installation folder:
C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents\Warcraft III\Maps\Inside this Maps folder, you can create subfolders to keep your library organized. For example, downloaded multiplayer maps typically go into:
C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents\Warcraft III\Maps\Download\2. Classic Legacy Versions (Patch 1.26a, 1.27a, and Older)
Older versions using MPQ archives locate custom maps directly inside the root game installation directory:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Warcraft III\Maps\Download\If your classic client is installed on another drive (such as D:\Warcraft III\), place map files into the Maps\Download\ directory inside that installation folder.
3. How to Select and Play Your Map In-Game
- Launch Warcraft III (Reforged or Classic).
- Click Custom Games (in Reforged) or Single Player → Custom Game (in Classic).
- Look for the folder matching where you placed the file (e.g.
Download). - Select the map name and click Create Game or Start Game.
Sources & Reference Verification
Every path and patch threshold in this guide is verified against real community documentation:
“However, since 1.28, custom maps must be placed in "Documents/Warcraft III/Maps".”
“If you are using the older versions with MPQ, they are located in the game folder under "Maps".”